The reference library for starting a business in South Africa
Plain-language guides to registration, tax, labour law and compliance. Every guide is written for South African conditions and references South African law, bodies and processes. Content is reviewed annually; last reviewed July 2026.
The decisions to make before the paperwork
Each guide answers one question people ask before they start a business, and points to the tools and guides that follow. The reference library below covers what to do once you have decided.
Should I leave corporate and start a business?
What you give up, five readiness checks, and how to test the move before you resign.
Read the guideWhat business should I start?
Four fit filters and a comparison of eight business types, then how to narrow the field.
Read the guideWill my business idea work?
The two-stage method, and which evidence counts and which does not.
Read the guideCan I afford to leave my job?
The income the business must earn and the savings you need, with a worked example in Rands.
Read the guideShould I start, buy or franchise?
The three routes compared on capital, time to income, control and risk.
Read the guideHow do I prepare to leave corporate?
Four workstreams, a twelve-month timeline and the practical details of resigning.
Read the guideReading your numbers
When the business is running, the questions change. This guide covers the numbers to watch and what a change in each could be telling you.
Articles and reports
Articles cover the decisions around starting and running a business. Reports look at where small business opportunities are forming in South Africa.
Tax and Compliance
Registration
Intellectual Property
Employment Law
Legal
Finance and Banking
Digital Products
Importing and Manufacturing